Part One: The History (What do we know?) This brief historical introduction to Jesus assesses his impact on the world as it was at the time and outlines the key ideas and values connected with him. It explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the context of his life and teaching, and considers how those factors affected the way he was initially received. Part Two: The Legacy (Why does it matter?) This second part surveys the intellectual and cultural 'afterlife' of Jesus, exploring the ways in which his impact has lasted. Why does he continue to be so influential, and what aspects of his legacy are likely to endure beyond today and into the future? The book has a brief chronology at the front plus a glossary of key terms and a list of further reading at the back.

Helen Bond is Professor of Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins. She has written extensively on the Gospels, the historical Jesus, and the emergence of Christianity and has contributed to several documentaries for BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic channels.